The daring young man on the flying trapeze.

Circus class, week 2: excellent progress.

This week, Marco actually listened! He loved the class and his teachers.

This week, they worked on trapeze, tight rope and some human boxes. Nikos held up Marco! I questioned it in my head (Marco is clearly a base), but Nikos did it!

All in all, a major success. At the end of class, Marco asked his teacher, "Can I go on the trampoline a little bit?"

"Maybe next week Marco."
"okay!"

We got in the car and Marco said, "I like my teachers, what are their names again?"

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Mama!

I got home from a work trip today, and this little man came running at me in the airport. "Mama!!! I missed you. I picked yellow flowers for you at the store! I love you too."


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Running away with the circus.

Marco and Niko started circus class last week. I definitely thought he'd be an advanced participant, easily becoming a bearded lady or a clown before the other kids.

Well, Marco had a different plan in mind, including no participation, "I don't want to do that," a lot of running around "look at me," and wanting to move onto the next thing, "I want to go on the trampoline!" There are six kids in the class, Marco is the youngest. Three boys, three girls, with two male teachers. The teachers are amazing. So nice and funny. To be honest, I think they might be clowns. Marco was hysterical when they were playing around.

While the other parents sat at the side of the studio playing on their laptops and reading newspapers, Heather and I actually had to take circus class to get the boys to barely particpate. Arg.

When it was finally Marco's turn to get on the trampoline, he erupted in tears. I had to take him down and give him a pep talk. He FINALLY came around for his third and fourth turn. He really liked it. Sheesh.

I have high hopes for next week, I still think he has time to become a lion trainer.

Here's the proof (not pictured: Heather and I making awkward eye contact, Niko crying at the bottom of the kid pyramid and Marco balling on the trampoline saying "But that's how I do it!!!"):

Boy Wars

Marco's new toys are in a fight to the finish. Optimus Prime and Godzilla attack the Bat Cave. "One shall stand and one shall fall Mama." Batman shoots them with his grenade and Robin gets lost under the couch.

When did we get this certified boy?

ps. Jeff will be upset if I don't mention that Optimus Prime sounds a awful lot like "Octomom Prime," equally scary.

My favorite little dago.

What could be more appealing than a 3-year old on his birthday tasting aged cheeses at the bar at AG Ferrari?

Cheese guy: "and this is the San pietro asiago..."
Marco: "grazie!"



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Come and find me!

We have a fan of hide and seek, folks. Whether it's behind the couch, in a closet or under his bed, Marco loves to hide. "You count to 30 Mama!"

You can find him by exclaiming, "Where's Marco?" And then wait.

"I'm in the cabinet!!"

Big Boy

Creeping up on three, Marco is becoming a very big boy. He has been perfecting his Christmas gift, a "computer" from Grammy.

And perfecting my Christmas toy, a computer from Jeff.

He's been loving his new bed. A big, big (two bigs) boy bed. (More pics to follow.) And he's been slightly less than perfect perfecting his big boy underwear. Something to grow on...

The day the music died.

If I had feelings, I'd shed a tear for this ugly hand-me-down from my co-worker, that led a life as triumphant as a knight.

As soon as he could talk, Marco dubbed this ridiculous crib side toy "My Music." It became a permanent fixture in marco's nighttime routine and we'd hear the music revive throughout the night when he'd wake. It's been the soundtrack of my life for three years.

First the middle part stopped moving, then the middle light burned out, the bears stopped giggling, the music resembled a funeral march more than its former peaceful, serene bedtime tunes, until only that round frightening face glowed and moaned. Yikes.


Marco is adjusting well. I was worried the first night when he said "good night mama, I turn on my music now," and pantomimed reaching up and turning it on. With a roll and a request for water, he slept in silence.

Countless nights and D batteries later... RIP Music. You were a good man and you will be missed.

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Monkeying around.

Don't feed the wildlife.

(Another excellent Grandma photo.)

Man's Best Friend

Ahh, nothing so sweet as a boy and his (Grandma & Papa's) dog.
Spare me your comments about how we need a dog. Feeding and picking up after Marco is plenty of work for us. Thanks.

(Photo credit: Grandma Cecchin)

Super Friends, Super Cousins.

"Marco, is Tommy your cousin or your friend?"

"Cousin AND friend!!!!"

Fake Cuts For Kids.

Dear CPS,

The scissors were fake. The Hangar One real.

Fondly, your friends at EBHH

There goes the neighborhood.

After the thrill of Marco's first outdoor bathroom stop, he's got the bug.

"Mama, can I pee pee outside?"
"No honey."
"but I already did it!"



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The Camera Loves You

Since both of my grandfathers were photographers, I don't know why I'm suprised that Marco has a real eye for photograpy. His subjects might be too tall, but I still see the potential.

Ho Ho Holiday Party

We headed to our annual Kroeck Christmas party and amazingly, the hosts knew Santa! He made a brief appearance (much too brief for Marco's tase), heard some Christmas wishes, took some pictures and rode off in his Volkswagon, err, sleigh.

Marco stuck to his guns with his Christmas list, "A godzilla and a lollipop tree," and even offered Santa proof of his goodness. "I picked up all my toys and put them in the blue basket - a godzilla... and a lollipop tree." (Yes, repetition helps Santa remember.)

Side note: It was just that morning that we had this conversation that left me reeling:
"Santa is going to ask you what you want and you can tell him about your godzilla and lollipop treat."
"Did you say tree or treat Mama?"
"Treat."
"No, I want a lollipop TREE!"
(Oh, that should be easy.)

As if I needed more proof that Marco clearly favors me, he loved Santa. And he punctuated his love with contentment. No, he didn't scream or cry, nary a smile. He just sat there, happy to stay all day. He was very upset when his turn was over and had to be pried off of Santa's lap and then quickly barked, "Can I have another turn after Thomas?!"

Santa must have agreed that Marco was a good boy because he brought him a godzilla, a remote control car and... a lollipop tree.